Tree trimming question

[crispini]

So I've been living in my house for three years and I've never had anything done to the trees and I know you need to do stuff to the trees every now and then. I have 7 trees, a pecan, a chinkipin oak, and the rest cedar elms. They're huge, they must be at least 50 years old and they're probably 80 feet high at least. The oak out front is too big for me to put my arms around.

So I pick a tree company, check with the BBB, call around, and ask 'em to come out for an estimate. They show up, tell me that they'll do crown cleaning and thinning, and point out that there's a big branch which either needs to come down, or be braced, because it is damaged. (Guess I'll stop parking my car under it for the time being, heh.)

Anyway, these guys seem pretty reputable, and the fellow made a point of telling me that they are very careful with trees, and they don't want to just come along and lop off branches, but they really make an effort to trim out at the ends of the limbs where the weight on the branches are. They seem like they are not just some fly by night company, which is good.

BUT, here's the kicker, the bill's going to be right around $2000. Wooo! Homeownership ain't cheap! Does that sound right to those of you who have more experience in this area?

[LiberalEsto]

1. Tree trimming is extremely $$$$$$$ these days

but I think $2000 is a bit much for one tree.

Get a few more estimates, like the consumer protection folks tell us to do.

[crispini]

3. One? Oh, no. Seven. nt

[trof]

2. I thought this was either a belated Christmas question, or

you were REALLY getting a jump on Xmas '05.
Depends on the area, but I know it ain't cheap. We had 19 oaks blown over by Ivan and it cost me $4000 to have them cut the rest of the way down, cut up, and hauled to the front property line.

[crispini]

5. LOL, I didn't even think of that.

Wow, 19 oaks?! That's amazing. You must live in the country. I can't believe I have this many trees living only 5 miles from downtown. :)

[trof]

1+ acre lot in subdivision.

Just lots of trees.

Not so many now, though.
Got a lot better view of the bay than I used to have.
;-)

[babylonsister]

4. For reference, I had a huge

30-year old oak tree chopped down about 2 years ago because its roots were infringing on my neighbor's foundation. The guy I hired chopped the tree down, removed all the wood (he sold it later for firewood, but saved us a lot of work), ground up the roots, and this all cost $500. I live in Houston. If it were me, I'd get a second opinion.

[crispini]

6. Thanks, I will.

Wow, a whole tree worth of firewood? Sounds good to me, if you've got a fireplace. ;)

[babylonsister]

7. We do have a fireplace,

but firewood is a big termite attraction, and we had no where to put the wood away from the house. I'm glad the wood guy took it; he has 6 kids to feed! Good luck w/your trees.

[wolfgirl]

8. Tree care is very expensive...

I would get several estimates. You might want to check with your insurance company and see if they can recommend anyone as well. It's worth the $$ to keep the trees in good condition.

[St. Jarvitude]

9. Maybe you could ask Whistleass about it

It seems like he's never doing anything but clearing brush... I hear it's "hard work" though.

[crispini]

10. LOL, if he were 80 feet in the air in one of my trees....

I'd find the urge whip out the ol' airhorn almost overpowering.



Oh -- sorry -- did I startle you? :evilgrin:

[cally]

11. Get a few estimates

but don't choose anyone just because they are cheapest. A bad tree trimmer will kill your trees. $2,000 seems reasonable but you can only judge based on the prices in your own area.

[crispini]

12. Thanks, good advice! nt